US-T&T postgame thoughts

Michael Haley and I both attended the US-Trinidad and Tobago match yesterday at the Home Depot Center. The US made ten changes in the starting eleven from Thursday night’s victory over Guatemala. Most interestingly the new players seemed to adjust well to Bob Bradley’s attacking formation which features many overlapping runs and requires the defensive midfielders to occupy a lot of space in the middle of the pitch. Ricardo Clark was particularly impressive in this role. Overall the most impressive US player was Jay DeMerit whose baptism by fire at Watford has made a tough smart defender who knows how to use his hands to gain position without being called for silly fouls or worse get booked.

The entrance of Landon Donovan in the match at half time changed the way the US attacked and instilled some confidence in the side. Donovan spectacular run down the right hand flank set up an easy finish for Eddie Johnson who until that point the match looked completely lost. Another important note from the match was the first US cap for Michael Parkhurst who now is ineligible to play for Ireland’s National Team. Parkhurst had been capped at every youth level for the US, but had recently arroused the interest of Steve Staunton and the Irish Football Federation.

About Kartik Krishnaiyer

A lifelong lover of soccer, the beautiful game, he served from January 2010 until May 2013 as the Director of Communications and Public Relations for the North American Soccer League (NASL).
Raised on the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the old NASL, Krishnaiyer previously hosted the American Soccer Show on the Champions Soccer Radio Network, the Major League Soccer Talk podcast and the EPL Talk Podcast.
His soccer writing has been featured by several media outlets including The Guardian and The Telegraph. He is the author of the book Blue With Envy about Manchester City FC.
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4 Responses to US-T&T postgame thoughts

Donovan changed the game and once again showed it is very tough for the US to do much without him in the midfield or the attack. Ching had a nice game also as did Ricardo Clark as you mentioned. Look for Chris Albright to push Simek and Hedjuk for the right back spot when he returns to health.